Hyderabad in Buchi Babu final

Chennai: TNCA President’s XI defeated TNCA Districts XI by four wickets to set up a final with Hyderabad in the Buchi Babu All-India Invitation cricket tournament here on Tuesday. Hyderabad outplayed Uttar Pradesh by 139 runs in the second semifinal played at MRFPachaiyappa’s College grounds thanks to a disciplined bowling performance. UP was bowled out for 190 in 81.2 overs as the batsmen struggled to get going with only Ekalvya Dwivedi contributing significantly with a knock of 55. For Hyderabad, right-arm mediumpacer M. Ravikumar took 3 for 16 and leg-spinner Akash Bhandari captured two wickets. The two-day final will be played from Thursday at SSN College grounds. In the match between the two TNCA outfits, captain Baba Aparajith led from the front with a knock of 90 which included eight boundaries and one six as President’s XI reached the target of 271 in 85.4 overs. Left-handed batsman Pradosh Ranjan Paul took team home with an unbeaten knock of 66 studded with nine fours and a six. BRIEF SCORES (BOTH SEMIFINALS) Hyderabad 329 in 81.2 overs beat UPCA 190 in 60.1 overs (Eklavya Dwivedi 55, Saurabh Kumar 39, Samarth Singh 24, M. Ravikiran 3 for 16, Akash Bhandari 2 for 46, Amol Shinde 2 for 31). TNCA Districts XI 270 in 86.2 overs lost to TNCA President’s XI 273 for 6 in 85.4 overs (S. Karthik 63 — 102b, 10x4; B. Aparajith 90 — 175b, 8x4, 1x6; Pradosh Ranjan Paul 66 not out — 104b, 9x4, 1x6; R. Sanjay Yadav 3 for 56).